Water Resources

Access to adequate water as part of an adequate standard of living is an internationally guaranteed right for all people. But, Palestinians are deprived of this right regularly because Israel controls the Mountain Aquifer – the only source of water for Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Amnesty International. Israel redirects this water to the colonizing settlers, who use up to four times more water than Palestinians are allowed. At least 20,000 Palestinians in rural areas have no access to water.

The World Health Organization has said that people need at least 26 gallons of water a day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The occupation restricts Palestinians to about 18.5 gallons per day, while settlers use 79 gallons per day per person. In Gaza it is even worse where, because of the siege and Operation Cast Lead, 90 percent of the water supply is contaminated and unfit for human consumption.